Celebs remember Manabi Bandyopadhyay from Bigg Boss days

In 2013, she made a splash by taking part in Bigg Boss Bangla. It didn't come as a surprise when she was ousted in three weeks, as she herself thought she was a complete misfit. She admitted that no one took her in any group and gossip was not her forte.Cut to 2015. Manabi Bandyopadhyay is soon to take charge as the principal of Krishnanagar Women's College and is the first transgender in India to have achieved this feat.Obviously then, her compatriots of the Bigg Boss house are a happy lot. They open up on what she did and what she never could to keep the TRP soaring. A quick recap.

SUDIPTAA CHAKRABORTY, actress: I have known Manabidi from the time she was still Somnathda.Back then, she would edit a magazine. It was much later that we came together in Bigg Boss. Though the show was a harrowing experience better forgotten, I've always felt that she was not meant for it.She is a very simple person, who would often find it difficult to cope with house politics. An extremely well-read person, Manabidi had a song for every situation. She could break into everything from Rabindrasangeet, tappa to a peppy chartbuster at the drop of a hat and I loved that about her. Now that she is going to get her due, I'm happy that the whole movement will find a new meaning.

RUDRANIL GHOSH, actor: In 1997-98, we would regularly exchange notes on literature during long addas. In the Bigg Boss house, as per the rules of the game show, people would often engage in backbiting and lose their cool in the process.But never ever did I oppose her argument, nor did she do that with me. Even if it was Bigg Boss, I refrained from judging her and when the ambience was bitter, we would silently look at one another. I was upset the day she left the house.For me, she was a symbol of change in society and she represented many like her.Manabidi was, is and will forever be the winner.

VIKRAM CHATTERJEE, actor: I didn't interact much with Manabidi in the first week. It wasn't the same bond I shared with Tumpadi (Sudiptaa) or Nandini Paul. One day, she came up to me and said, `I feel the same motherly affection as the rest. People find it difficult to understand that as I am different'. That made me feel how I was at fault in understanding her. She is hungry for love, like all of us.

ANEEK DHAR, singer: She would treat me like her son. She is very caring and was more of a guardian to me. When I won Bigg Boss, she was among the very few to have hugged me. She still keeps in touch. She attended my wedding and often calls my mother.From whatever little I have seen of her, not only did she demand respect from society for herself but also countless like her.

SAMPOORNA LAHIRI, actress: While we would speak, Manabidi would utter lines from Tagore.So, even a `suprobhaat' would be exchanged with excerpts from the Bard. She is an amazing raconteur, she would share her life's journey with us.Manabidi was an agony aunt to me in the house. What she said still motivates me and helps me fight my own evils.

PATA, singer: I had met her even before Bigg Boss, but we grew close in the house. Manabidi is very courageous and would talk about her struggles. I remember how she loved to dress up and would carefully look into the mirror. Even after Bigg Boss, she kept in touch. She had long left the bad memories of the house behind and moved on.